Seventy-seven year old Darryl Williams lost his brief battle with cancer when he passed away on Saturday evening in Yarrawonga.
Darryl grew up in Newport and Elsternwick. He played football for the Footscray Technical School Old Boys and Williamstown FC, 2nds and 3rds. He also played cricket.
Darryl began umpiring in 1959 with the VFL reserved grade until he was promoted to the VFL in 1963. He umpired with the VFL until his retirement in 1977. Darryl was a member of the association during his time as an umpire and worked on several sub committees and executive committees. He was a member of the social committee between 1970-1972 he became social secretary between 1973 and 1976. He was a member of the executive committee in 1977.
Darryl was made a life member of the VFLUA in 1973 and became a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1975. Darryl was inducted into the AFLUA Hall of Fame in 2008.
Darryl umpired 3 VFL reserve grade matches, 271 VCFL matches including four grand finals. The Mallee League in 1969 and ’70, Alberton FL in 1975 and the Southern Mallee FL in 1977 which was his last game on the list.
In 1978 Darryl became a VFL country observer and was promoted to a VFL city observer in 1980, a position he held until 1985.
Darryl retired to the idyllic lifestyle of bowls and golf in Yarrawonga following his retirement. He still played an active role in association affairs by attending as many social functions as he could get to in Melbourne and by maintaining a close group umpiring friendships.
Darryl’s funeral will be held at Club Mulwala, Melbourne Street Mulwala at 2pm this Thursday April 2.
Pictured: AFLUA Life Member – Darryl Williams
